2015 Toyota Highlander Safety Report
2015 Toyota Highlander Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2015 Toyota Highlander
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2015 Toyota Highlander. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (2) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (184) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Unknown Or Other | Compare unknown or other issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2016 | Compare against the 2016 Toyota Highlander with 109 complaints and 3 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2019 | Check the 2019 Toyota Highlander before buying across this generation. |
Toyota Highlander Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Toyota Highlander years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Toyota Highlander | 109 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Toyota Highlander | 245 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Toyota Highlander | 242 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Toyota Highlander | 428 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Toyota Highlander | 266 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2021 Toyota Highlander | 406 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2015 Toyota Highlander Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2015 Toyota Highlander, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Unknown Or Other
31 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Toyota onlyElectrical System
22 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Toyota onlySteering
19 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering issues Toyota onlyStructure
15 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure issues Toyota onlyVisibility/Wiper
11 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility/Wiper issues Toyota onlyExterior Lighting
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Exterior Lighting issues Toyota onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2015 Toyota Highlander
Reliability Score
The 2015 Toyota Highlander receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2015 Toyota Highlander
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2015 Toyota Highlander
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2015 Toyota Highlander:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System Recalled due to issues with aftermarket replacement windshields and power assist system malfunctions. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Steering Recalled for hard steering and check engine light indicating speed sensor issues. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Exterior Lighting Frequent reports of exterior lights burning out. |
Low | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Airbag Malfunction Airbag indicator turns off after a few minutes when the right front passenger is seated and fastened with a seatbelt. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2015 Toyota Highlander:
Issues with aftermarket replacement windshields and power assist system malfunctions.
Problems with hard steering and check engine light indicating speed sensor issues.
Frequent reports of exterior lights burning out.
Airbag indicator turns off after a few minutes when the right front passenger is seated and fastened with a seatbelt.
Recall Details for the 2015 Toyota Highlander
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2015 Toyota Highlander by NHTSA:
Summary: Fujian Wanda Automobile Glass Industry (Wanda) is recalling certain aftermarket Replacement Windshields sold for use in 2014-2018 Toyota Highlander vehicles. The windshields have an attached wire harness that water may leak into, possibly causing damage to the vehicle's Engine Control Module (ECM).
Consequence: The ECM damage may result in the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Wanda will notify owners, and service centers will replace the windshields, and inspect the ECM for damage, having it replaced, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2019. Owners may contact Wanda customer service at 1-864-281-2760.
Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2015 Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, and Highlander Hybrid, and 2014-2015 Rav4 vehicles. A component of the electric power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may have been damaged during the manufacturing process. Over time, this damage may result in failure of the electric power steering system.
Consequence: An unexpected loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the serial number of the EPS ECU or steering column assembly. If the number is within the affected range, the EPS ECU will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 7, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2015 Toyota Highlander
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2015 Toyota Highlander with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 5 reported injuries or fatalities.
Exterior lights continually burn out.
The moon roof in my car completely shattered out of no where while I was driving down the road and fell all into my backseat. If my children were in the car, they would have had glass all over them.
The side mirrors are too large and located in a position that when the driver is turning left the driver's side mirror blocks the ability to see the crosswalk and also the center divider of the lane they are turning into and has almost caused me to strike a center divider and not see a pothole on a freeway on ramp causing damage to the left side strut and alignment. There were other multiple tim...
[XXX] battery light appeared on dash. [XXX] on my way to Limestone service station 399 Danbury rd Ridgefield ct ph203-438-8028 a warning appeared on dash stating i will lose steering.Luckily I managed to pull into a parking lot and lost all ability to steer. Thank God i was not on the highway and was not in a catastrophic accident.The dashboard went blank. The engine stayed on as I called Limesto...
Paint is peeling off my car, This is confirmed by Toyota it was covered by the Consumer Support program which expired in July however the paint did not start peeling off until last week.Toyota said that there wasn't anything they could do. this is clearly a manufacture defect and should be repair by Toyota at no charge to me.
When right front pax sits in seat and fastens seatbelt, the airbag indicator correctly says "ON." But after a few minutes, the airbag turns "OFF" and the driver's dash gets an "unfastened seatbelt" warning and a "faulty airbag" warning. All of these occur while the front right pax has remain seated and buckled. If the pax unbuckles and exits the seat, these incorrect warnings all remain the sam...
The blizzard pearl paint on my vehicle is peeling off of the roof and possibly the side of the vehicle.
I have noticed speed issues or high idling with this vehicle for a while. I committed a rear end collision with a vehicle on July 4, 2025, at approximately 2pm. My car rear ended his truck while it was stopped behind another vehicle. My vehicle sustained total damage to the front end. I was ticketed for not reducing speed to prevent a accident. The only warning light was that it need mainten...
On [XXX] my vehicle suffered an unintended acceleration on a very busy highway of The Dominican Republic, reaching a speed of 100 MPH. I was able to drive the car into the bushes of the highway service road hitting all king of obstacles such as trees, wall, advertising signs and safety barriers. The car damages resulted in a total loss. My life and my family life were in extremely dangerous situa...
Trunk keeps malfunctioning. During lift would not open all the way or at all and sometimes once open will not close.
Driving the car was hard to steer. Check engine light came on and check speed sensor. Went to a mechanic and disconnected the battery, the sensor reset and back driving ok for about two weeks. This went on for a few weeks. Been a month now and it hasn't come on but it was dangerous due to driving and turning issues.
Driving to take my son to work. Check engine light came on said check and system. Hard shifting put in manual drive and made it to destination.
Unknown-tailgate failure keeps beeping will not automatically go up or down not sure why?
I have a 2015 Toyota Highlander XLE. Last winter I began noticing a burning smell which I believed to be electrical inside the vehicle. I was able to determine it was the driver seat heater and the burning smell continued even with the toggle switch turned off. I stopped at a local Toyota dealership, Koch Toyota, who refused to show me which plug under the seat to unplug to disconnect power. They ...
BSM works when it want to and sometimes not at all
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The check engine warning light and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after 45 minutes. The vehicle was taken to an independent mecha...
SPONTANEOUS VEHICLE FIRE: While driving approximately 20-30 miles per hour, with no other symptoms or advance warning signs, a message suddenly appeared on the dashboard saying "Engine Failure - Turn off Ignition". The temperature gauge was firmly in the normal range; the car had been inspected a few months prior, and had recently had routine maintenance. There was no indication that anything was ...
I am curious as to why my front tires are wearing out on the outside? It was suggested to get a front end alignment & I did. But as the photos shows these tires are wearing uneven. I also have a rumbling vibration that comes from the front tires upon accelerating from a traffic light. Please advise.
Upon being reviewed the rear U Joint was loose & needed replaced @ 167,361 miles.
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Highlander. While stopped at a gas station with the engine on, the contact's wife smelled an abnormal, burning odor coming from the vehicle without warning. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact's wife saw flames shooting from the dashboard near the infotainment system; the contact's wife and children immediately exited the vehicle. The fire department was called ...
Showing 20 of 184 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2015 Toyota Highlander
Has the 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER been recalled?
Yes, the 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER has 2 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER have?
The 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER has 184 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. 16 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER?
The 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER involve unknown or other (31 complaints), electrical system (22 complaints), steering (19 complaints). Other affected components include structure, visibility/wiper, exterior lighting.
How many crash reports does the 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER have?
There are no fire reports for the 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER.
How many injuries are reported for the 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER?
16 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER is acceptable with caveats. It has 184 complaints, 2 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER?
The components with the most failures on the 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER are: 1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (31 complaints), 2. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (22 complaints), 3. STEERING (19 complaints), 4. STRUCTURE (15 complaints), 5. VISIBILITY/WIPER (11 complaints). UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the single most-reported problem area with 31 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER?
Be cautious of electrical system and steering issues, and monitor for exterior light failures and airbag malfunctions. The 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER has 184 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER?
The 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 184 owner complaints, 2 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Electrical System and Steering.
What are the known issues with the 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER?
Known issues with the 2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER include: Electrical System, Steering, Exterior Lighting, Airbag Malfunction. These are based on patterns found across 184 NHTSA complaints. 2 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2015 Toyota Highlander?
Yes, recalls have been issued for electrical system and steering issues.
What are the common exterior lighting problems?
Exterior lights frequently burn out.
Is there a known issue with the airbag system?
The airbag indicator can turn off after a few minutes when the right front passenger is seated and fastened with a seatbelt.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of electrical system and steering issues, and monitor for exterior light failures and airbag malfunctions.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2015 Toyota Highlander
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2015 Toyota Highlander. The data includes 184 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 16 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2015 Toyota Highlander an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16